About Ca' la Bionda
Ca' La Bionda was founded in 1902 by Pietro Castellani and is now run by the fourth generation, the brothers Alessandro and Nicola Castellani, winemaker and viticulturist. The estate farms 29 hectares around Marano di Valpolicella, in the high heart of the Classico zone, with vineyards between 150 and 300 metres facing east and southeast. Certified organic since 2016, the house works only with native grapes and traditional methods: indigenous yeasts, patient macerations and large oak casks. From the Valpolicella Classico up to the Amarone Ravazzol, the wines are among the most terroir driven in the appellation.
Prices are for take away and shipping. The wine bar serves from its own list.
The winery
About Ca' la Bionda
History
Cà La Bionda sits at Valgatara, in Marano di Valpolicella, in the historic Classico zone. The website tells its story under the line Passion from 1902, the year Pietro Castellani founded the estate. The current owner carries his name, and the fourth generation now runs the farm: the brothers Alessandro, an oenologist, and Nicola, an agronomist.
In 2008 the winery was among the founders of FIVI, the Italian federation of independent winegrowers. Members look after the whole chain themselves, from growing the grapes to making, bottling and selling the wine.
The land and the vineyards
The estate covers 29 hectares, mostly planted with vines, on hillsides at 150 to 300 metres above sea level facing east and south east. From 1990 the family restored the dry stone terrace walls, called marogne, and prefers terracing because it gives good exposure to the sun.
Only grapes from the estate's own vineyards are vinified, and only local varieties are grown: Corvina, Corvinone, Rondinella and Molinara. The winery has stopped using herbicides and other synthetic treatments, and says it has held organic certification since 2016.
The wines
The range covers the Valpolicella names: Valpolicella Classico, Casalvegri Valpolicella Classico Superiore, Malavoglia Ripasso Classico Superiore, and two Amarone della Valpolicella Classico, one of them Ravazzòl. Limited editions include the Decennale Casalvegri, a Riserva Ravazzòl, the sweet Le Tordare Recioto, and a white called Bianco del Casal.
Two single grape reds, Corvina IGT and Corvinone IGT, show the grapes of the area on their own.
Today
Cà La Bionda wines show the Marano valley, in the words of the family, and are made with traditional methods of winemaking and ageing. The website has a tasting page, a photo gallery, a page on awards and reviews, and an English version, so visitors can plan a stop at the cellar in Valgatara.
- Founded
- 1902
- Area
- Valgatara, Marano di Valpolicella
- Vineyards (hectares)
- 29
- Main grapes
- Corvina, Corvinone, Rondinella, Molinara
- Owners
- Castellani family
- Winemaker
- Alessandro (oenologist); Nicola is the agronomist